Businesses approaching Valpak for assistance tend to fall into two camps. The first are looking for a preliminary audit and advice, while the second believes they are ready for certification. Typically, these still need a little more preparation.
Getting ready At the heart of every successful ZWTL journey lies a clear audit trail. At Valpak, we like to visit sites and see how things operate in practice. We observe how waste is segregated, where it is coming from and where it goes; we perform compliance checks, look into end markets for recycled materials and also check by-waste.
Businesses need to demonstrate that all waste is being diverted from landfill. Ahead of the audit, your certifier should advise you on the documentation needed; typically, this will include evidence of the type and amount of waste produced per site, of who has collected it and who has treated it. In our process, there is no pass or fail on the day. If you do not have a particular piece of documentation, you will be given time to source it.
Valpak also requires waste compliance documentation such as waste collection paperwork, waste carriers’ licences, permits and exemptions. For one site, the process usually takes up to two days to prepare and one additional day with the auditor. Our zero waste to landfill certification lasts for two years.
www.tomorrowsfm.com
Working with contractors The key to good documentation often lies with waste contractors. As with any relationship, some are more engaged than others. It helps to write your expectations into the contract but, where contractors are less than forthcoming, it can sometimes prove helpful to the blame the auditor.
We recommend regular monitoring throughout the year, as well as focusing on smaller waste streams such as sanitary waste, which may have ad hoc collections that do not come under the same scrutiny as more standard wastes.
Occasionally, Valpak has found instances where waste has gone to landfill, while contractors assure businesses that it has not. It is important to remember that waste producers – such as offices and manufacturing sites – have a duty of care to ensure that their waste is managed responsibly. This means you have a legal right to ask for information on where your waste is going.
Good luck Under the new government, we can expect to see a stronger focus on zero waste. And, with the right support, zero waste to landfill is achievable for businesses of every size and shape. Maybe even more importantly, with the associated cost benefits, less waste to landfill represents a rare win- win that profits both the business and the environment.
www.valpak.co.uk/recycling/zero-waste-to-landfill TOMORROW’S FM | 41
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